What kinda GM was this?

[Physic]

He's not the first Arcanist in the game.

There are several NPCs in the Arcanist guild, most prominently in the Limsa storyline.
There is also one in the Alchemist storyline. Rank 20 Quest, I believe, but could be wrong.

Their weapons look like mechanized staffs. They have weird shapes and pieces that look like "Machina."

yea, i havent seen them cast anything though.